Synonyms

ripple effect

American

noun

a spreading effect or series of consequences caused by a single action or event.

ripple effect British

noun

the repercussions of an event or situation experienced far beyond its immediate location

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ripple effect

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This decrease in spending has a ripple effect because the American consumer accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

“I’m wondering whether this could cause a ripple effect in which other banks might do the same with my lesser-used credit cards.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

“I think the bigger question is around oil prices and the ripple effect that has on commercial flight pricing.”

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

"These sorts of events have a whole ripple effect," he added.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Everyone’s space invaded everyone else's, and the ripple effect separated me from my brother.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023